Fusarium mycotoxins as a problem in Finnish feeds and cereals

Authors

• Eeva Karppanen National Veterinary Institute, P. Box 368, 00101 HELSINKI, Finland
• Aldo Rizzo National Veterinary Institute, P. Box 368, 00101 HELSINKI, Finland
• Seija Berg National Veterinary Institute, P. Box 368, 00101 HELSINKI, Finland
• Erja Lindfors National Veterinary Institute, P. Box 368, 00101 HELSINKI, Finland
• Riitta Aho National Veterinary Institute, P. Box 368, 00101 HELSINKI, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72201

Abstract

In the past mycotoxins have been only an occasional minor problem for domestic animals in Finland. In 1982 a large number of intoxicated animals were suspected of being affected by mycotoxicosis. Later on imported maize was found to be the cause of the illness. After 2 years of investigations we concentrated our attention on Fusarium toxins, and in the autumn of 1984 we were able to detect the presence of trichothecenes in feeds. The rainy summer of 1984 created very favourable conditions for the growth of moulds. The production lines of some feed factories were contaminated by Fusarium fungi. The number of intoxicated animals increased drastically. Two strains of Fusaria were isolated at a feed factory. Since the trichothecenes have strong dermotoxic and cytotoxic effects, biological tests were used in this investigation. Capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to identify and quantify the trichothecenes. Qualitative and quantitative results are presented together with the symptoms observed in the intoxicated animals. The reliability and the significance of the results have been discussed. Despite what has earlier been believed, itis evident from our results that trichothecenes are unstable in cereals and feeds. In fact, samples which originally proved to be toxic were found to be almost toxin-free after 3 to 6 months storage at +4°C.